Flexible and removably detachable tie-out and system of same

ABSTRACT

A flexible and removably detachable tie-out and tie-out system are provided. The tie-out includes a rigid portion removably coupled to a flexible portion. The flexible portion allows total universal motion of the tie-out and absorbs the pulls and tugs of an animal, while preventing damage to a trailer, the tie-out, and the animal. The tie-out system includes a base. Secured to the base and set out by a spacer is a receiver that is adapted to receive a connector. The connector couples the receiver to the tie-out. The tie-out system may be mounted easily for set-up on horse trailers or other structures. The connector and tie-out can be left attached or removed from the trailer while traveling. Furthermore, by having additional bases and receivers mounted where convenient, a detached connector and tie-out can be moved to multiple sites on the trailer or to a building or other structure as the need arises.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Technical Field

This invention relates to the field of animal restraints. Morespecifically, the invention relates to a flexible and removablydetachable tie-out and system of same.

2. Background Art

Generally, animal tie-outs, such as for a horse, have previously beenprovided. Some of these tie-outs have been attached to trailers.However, these tie-outs have certain drawbacks. These tie-outs are rigidand fixed restraints. Therefore, when an attached animal pulls againstthese rigid and fixed restraints, the tie-outs are subject to bendingand breaking. The likelihood of the tie-out breaking poses a danger.Specifically, if the tie-out breaks, the trailer, the tie-out, theanimal, and a rider, if near by, may be damaged or injured. Furthermore,the rigid tie-outs cannot be used on all trailers due to obstructingtrailer doors, windows, awning structures, and rain gutters. Even if thetie-outs can be mounted to trailers or other structures, the rigidtie-outs are permanently attached. Thus, for example, the tie-outscannot be removed from trailers while traveling, or detached andtransferred to another trailer, building, or structure.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, what is needed is tie-out system that overcomes thebending/breaking and trailer incompatibility drawbacks of previous,structurally rigid tie-outs through a flexible and removably detachabletie-out and tie-out system. The invention solves these problems througha flexible and removably detachable tie-out and system of same. Thetie-out includes a rigid portion removably coupled to a flexibleportion. The tie-out system includes a base. Coupled to the base is areceiver that is adapted to receive a connector. The connector couplesthe receiver to the tie-out.

One advantage of this invention is that the flexible portion absorbs thepulls and tugs of a horse or other animal. Furthermore, the dampingability of the flexible portion prevents damage to a trailer, thetie-out, and the animal. Moreover, the flexible portion allows totaluniversal motion of the tie-out.

Another advantage of the invention is that it can be mounted easily forset-up. Furthermore, if the invention is trailer-mounted, it can be leftattached to the trailer while traveling, or removed from the trailer andstored separately while traveling. Moreover, the invention'sdetachability allows it to be used on virtually any trailer, building,or structure.

The foregoing and other features and advantages of the invention will beapparent from the following more particular description of the preferredembodiment of the invention, as illustrated in the accompanyingdrawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The preferred embodiment of the invention will hereinafter be describedin conjunction with the appended drawings, where like designationsdenote like elements, and:

FIG. 1 is a three dimensional side view of the preferred tie-out andtie-out system of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a front plan view of various components of an alternatetie-out system of the invention;

FIG. 3 is a side view of various components of the preferred tie-outsystem of the invention; and

FIG. 4 is a top plan view of the preferred tie-out and tie-out system ofthe invention in conjunction with a trailer.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring generally to FIGS. 1-3, tie-out 135 includes a rigid portion150 removably coupled to a flexible portion 140. Tie-out system 100includes a base 110. Coupled to and set out from base 110 is a receiver120 that is adapted to receive a connector 130. Connector 130 is adaptedto removably couple receiver 120 to tie-out 135. Rigid portion 150 oftie-out 135 includes a first end 151 and a second end 153, and flexibleportion 140 of tie-out 135 includes a first end 141 and a second end143. First end 141 of flexible portion 140 is coupled to face plate 131of connector 130 and second end 143 of flexible portion 140 is coupledto first end 151 of rigid portion 150.

Referring to FIGS. 1, 3, and 4 and describing tie-out 135 in greaterdetail, tie-out 135 includes flexible portion 140 and rigid portion 150.As depicted in FIG. 4, flexible portion 140 has a quiescent state 410and a flexed state 412, such that flexible portion 140 is preferablyable to flex and bend to at least 100 degrees axially, but strong andresilient enough to return to its previous position. Flexible portion140 preferably is approximately 9″ long with approximately a 2 ⅝″outside diameter, but could have various lengths and have variousoutside diameters depending upon the amount of applied pressure it willbe subject to, among other variables. Furthermore, flexible portion 140can be assorted shapes as well.

Rigid portion 150 preferably is approximately 38″ long withapproximately a 1 ⅞″ outside diameter, but could be of varied lengthsaccording to particular situations and needs. Similarly, rigid portion150 could be of various outside diameters depending upon the materialsused and the strength required. Tie loop 160 preferably is coupled tothe second end of rigid portion 150. Tie loop 160 preferably is a baleof approximately {fraction (5/16)}″ to ½″ diameter curved rod thatdefines approximately a 2 ¼″ opening at second end 153 of rigid portion150, but could be of various diameters and could define a variety ofopening sizes. Furthermore, tie loop 160 could include a series of tieloops along second end 153 of rigid portion 150 so that attachment of atie, as hereinafter described, can be located depending upon the animaland the amount of pressure the animal will exert on flexible portion140. A cap 170 could also be coupled to second end 153 of rigid portion150, and cap 170 could incorporate tie loop 160.

Referring specifically to FIG. 3, flexible portion 140 is removablycoupled to rigid portion 150 to form tie-out 135. Preferably, rigidportion 150 is removably coupled to flexible portion 140 by at least onethreaded bolt 112 coupled to first end 151 of rigid portion 150 inremovable threadable engagement with at least one flexible portioninsert 142 adapted to receive threaded bolt 112. Specifically, threadedbolt 112 extends through at least one insert 320. Insert 320 is securedwithin first end 151 of rigid portion 150 so that only bolt 112 threadsprotrude. Insert 320 preferably is multiple inserts, such as twowashers, one washer coupled to bolt 112 just under its head and onewasher coupled to bolt 112 at the base of its threaded portion. Suchwashers would be sized to fit an inside diameter of rigid portion 150.Similarly, flexible portion 140 preferably includes insert 142 that iscoupled to second end 143 of flexible portion 140 and is adapted toreceive the protruding portion of bolt 112 in removable threadableengagement.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 3 and describing tie-out system 100 in greaterdetail, tie-out system 100 preferably includes base 110, receiver 120,connector 130, and tie-out 135 as previously described. Tie-out system100 is preferably coupled to a trailer, but could be removably coupledto any device, object, product, building, structure, or the likesuitable for use in retaining an animal such as a horse.

Base 110 is preferably permanently coupled to a trailer or any otherstructure, but could be adapted to be removably coupled. Preferably,base 110 is coupled to a trailer or any other structure by at least twobolts 113. Preferably, base 110 is approximately 2″ in width,approximately 12″ in length, and approximately ¼″ in depth, but could bea variety of widths, lengths, or depths.

Receiver 120 is configured to removably receive connector 130. Receiver120 preferably has a 1 ¼″ square opening, though the opening could bevarious sizes and/or shapes depending upon the shape and size ofconnector 130. Receiver 120 is coupled to and set out from base 110.Preferably, spacer 115 is coupled to base 110 to set out receiver 120.Spacer 115 is preferably approximately ¼″ to ½″ in width. Spacer 115allows clearance for receiver 120 to removably receive connector 130without interfering with, for example, rain gutters on a trailer orheads of bolts 113 of base 110.

Connector 130 is adapted to removably couple receiver 120 to tie-out135. Preferably, connector 130 includes bar 133 and face plate 131. Bar133 preferably is 1 ¼″ square steel bar of any length suitable forremovable slidable engagement with receiver 120, but could be any shapedepending upon the shape of receiver 120. Face plate 131 can be anysize, shape, or the like suitable for allowing connector portion 130 toremovably couple with tie-out 135. As shown in FIG. 3, tie-out 135 isremovably coupled at a 90 degree angle to connector 130, though tie-out135 could be removably coupled at other angles. Preferably, connector130 is removably coupled to flexible portion 140 by a second bolt 111extending through face plate 131 of connector 130. Second bolt 111threadably engages insert 142 coupled to first end 141 of flexibleportion 140 to secure tie-out 135 to connector 130. Insert 142 isadapted to receive threaded bolt 111 in removable threadable engagement.

FIG. 2 depicts certain components of an alternative embodiment oftie-out system 100. The principal differences between the tie-out systemin FIGS. 1 and 3 and the tie-out system that comprises the components inFIG. 2 is securing pin 220. Securing pin 220 secures bar 133 ofconnector 130 within receiver 120. Both connector 130 and receiver 120include apertures that extend through both and align when bar 133 ofconnector 130 is within receiver 120. The aligning apertures could be ½″diameter apertures. The aligning apertures are adapted to removablyslidably receive securing pin 220, which would be slightly less than ½″in diameter. Once securing pin 220 is received through the aligningapertures, cotter pin 221 can be used to retain securing pin 220 inplace.

Additionally, FIG. 2 depicts base 210, an alternative embodiment of base110. Base 210 preferably is wider than base 110, such as, for example,4″ in width. Furthermore, base 210 preferably includes four bolts 113for removably mounting tie-out system 100.

The components of tie-out system 100 may be made from any of manydifferent types of materials. Preferably, though, base 110, spacer 115,receiver 120, connector 130, rigid portion 150, tie loop 160, andflexible portion 140 are made out of a metal, preferably steel.Preferably, base 110 is a steel plate, receiver 120 is a hitch receiver,and connector 130 is a steel bar hitch. Rigid portion 150 may be a 13gauge galvanized steel pipe, tie loop 160 may be a steel rod, andpreferably flexible portion 140 is an oil tempered hardened steelexpansion spring. Nevertheless, flexible portion 140 might be made fromother materials that are able to flex and bend to at least 100 degreesaxially, but strong and resilient enough to return to their previouspositions.

The components defining tie-out system 100 can be manufacturedseparately and then assembled together. Base 110, spacer 115, receiver120, connector 130, rigid portion 150, and flexible portion 140 areeither manufactured, such as by milling, casting, or the like, orpurchased already manufactured. The components defining tie-out system100 can then be assembled together. Base 110 can be coupled to receiver120 with spacer 115 separating them. This coupling might be a weld. Tieloop 160 can be coupled to second end 153 of rigid portion 150. Thiscoupling might be a weld, though bolts could couple tie loop 160 tosecond end 153 of rigid portion 150. Inserts 142 can be coupled to firstend 141 and second end 143 of flexible portion 140 respectively. Forexample, if flexible portion 140 is a spring as described previously,inserts 142 are preferably cast or machined to match the inside coils ofthe spring. Bolt 112 and insert 320 can be coupled together and then thecombination of bolt 112 and insert 320 can be coupled to first end 151of rigid portion 150. First end 151 of rigid portion 150 can be coupledto second end 143 of flexible portion 140, and then first end 141 offlexible portion 140 can be coupled to face plate 131 of connector 130.Other possible steps are sand blasting or polishing the components andpowder coating tie-out system 100 to a desired color (preferably tomatch the color of the trailer). Alternatively, only certain componentsof tie-out system 100, such as base 110, spacer 115, and receiver 120,may be coated to a desired color.

For a preferred use of tie-out system 100, reference is made to FIG. 4.In FIG. 4, tie-out system 100 is shown in conjunction with a generictrailer 400 of any of a number

For a preferred use of tie-out system 100, reference is made to FIG. 4.In FIG. 4, tie-out system 100 is shown in conjunction with a generictrailer 400 of any of a number of well known types. Preferably, base 110is permanently coupled to trailer 400 by utilizing at least two bolts113. Receiver 120 is coupled to and set out from base 110. Bar 133 ofconnector 130 is removably located within receiver 120. Rigid portion150 and flexible portion 140 are removably coupled together to formtie-out 135, and tie-out 135 is removably coupled to face plate 131 ofconnector 130. Connector's 130 detachability from receiver 120 allowstie-out 135 to be used on any other location on trailer 400, anothertrailer, or another structure that has a base 110 and receiver 120attached. Thus, additional bases 110 and receivers 120 can be mounted atother convenient locations or structures to receive a detached connector130 and tie-out 135 as the need arises. Additionally, tie-out system 100can be left attached to trailer 400 while traveling, or removed fromtrailer 400 and stored separately while traveling.

Once tie-out system 100 is mounted to trailer 400, a horse or otheranimal is attached to tie-out system 100 by coupling a tie attached tothe animal to rigid portion 150 with tie loop 160 attaching the tie inposition. The tie could be a rope, bungee cord, strap, or the like.Additionally, the tie could be removably coupled to rigid portion 150 bysuch mechanisms as a quick release, VELCRO, or the like.

After the animal is attached to tie-out system 100 and referring to FIG.4, the application of a predetermined amount of pressure exerted by theanimal on flexible portion 140 moves flexible portion 140 from quiescentstate 410 to flexed state 412. However, flexible portion 140 returns toquiescent state 410 as the amount of pressure exerted by the animallessens to an amount below the predetermined amount of pressure. Becauseof the resiliency of flexible portion 140, tie-out 135 preferably isable to flex and bend to at least 100 degrees axially and able to returnto its previous position. Thus, flexible portion 140 absorbs the pullsand tugs of the animal and provides resistance, thereby eventuallycausing the animal to tire and to stop pulling. Furthermore, as theanimal pulls and tugs, the damping ability of flexible portion 140prevents damage to trailer 400, tie-out system 100, and the animal.Moreover, flexible portion 140 can allow for total universal motion oftie-out 135 as the animal pulls while effectively restraining theanimal.

While the invention has been particularly shown and described withreference to a preferred embodiment thereof, together with numerouscharacteristics and advantages of the invention and details of thestructure and function of the invention, it will be understood by thoseskilled in the art that various changes in form and details, andespecially in the matters of shape, size and arrangement of parts, maybe made therein to the full extent indicated by the broad generalmeaning of the terms in which the appended claims are expressed, andwithout departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

What is claimed is:
 1. A tie-out adapted to be removably coupled to astructure, the tie-out comprising: a pipe removably coupled to aflexible portion and extending outwardly therefrom, wherein the pipe isapproximately 38″ long with approximately a 1 ⅞″ outside diameter; andthe flexible portion having a quiescent state and a flexed state,whereby the application of a predetermined amount of pressure on theflexible portion can move the flexible portion from its quiescent stateto its flexed state, the flexible portion adapted to return to itsquiescent state as the amount of pressure lessens to an amount below thepredetermined amount of pressure, wherein the flexible portion isapproximately 9″ long with approximately a 2 ⅝″ outside diameter.
 2. Thetie-out of claim 1, wherein a tie loop is coupled to a second end of thepipe.
 3. The tie-out of claim 2, wherein the tie loop comprises a baleof approximately {fraction (5/16)}″ to ½″ diameter curved rod thatdefines approximately a 2 ¼″ opening at the second end of the pipe. 4.The tie-out of claim 2, wherein the tie loop comprises a series of tieloops along the second end of the pipe.
 5. The tie-out of claim 1,wherein the flexible portion is able to flex and bend to at least 100degrees axially, but strong and resilient enough to return to itsprevious position.
 6. The tie-out of claim 1, wherein the flexibleportion comprises a spring.
 7. A tie-out system comprising: a base; areceiver adapted to be coupled to the base and adapted to removablyreceive a connector; the connector adapted to removably couple thereceiver to a tie-out; and the tie-out comprising: a pipe with a firstend and a second end; and a spring with a first end and a second end,the first end removably coupled to a first end of the connector, and thesecond end removably coupled to the first end of the pipe by at leastone threaded bolt coupled to the first end of the pipe in removablethreadable engagement with at least one spring insert adapted to receivethe threaded bolt.
 8. The tie-out system of claim 7 further comprising atrailer, and wherein the base is coupled to the trailer.
 9. The tie-outsystem of claim 7, wherein the base comprises a plate.
 10. The tie-outsystem of claim 7, wherein both the connector and the receiver includealigning apertures adapted to removably receive a securing pin to securethe connector within the receiver.
 11. The tie-out system of claim 7,wherein the receiver comprises a hitch receiver and wherein theconnector comprises a hitch.
 12. The tie-out system of claim 7, whereina tie loop is coupled to the second end of the pipe.
 13. A tie-outsystem for use with a trailer, the tie-out system comprising: a platecoupled to the trailer; a hitch receiver adapted to be coupled to theplate and adapted to removably receive a hitch; the hitch adapted toremovably couple the hitch receiver to a tie-out; and the tie-outcomprising: a pipe with a first end and a second end, wherein a tie loopis coupled to the second end; and a spring with a first end and a secondend, the first end removably coupled to a first end of the hitch, andthe second end removably coupled to the first end of the pipe by athreaded bolt coupled to a first end of the pipe in removable threadableengagement with a spring insert adapted to receive the threaded bolt.14. The tie-out system of claim 13, wherein the plate is coupled to thetrailer by at least two bolts.
 15. The tie-out system of claim 13,wherein both the hitch and the hitch receiver include aligning aperturesadapted to removably receive a securing pin to secure the hitch withinthe hitch receiver.
 16. The tie-out system of claim 13, wherein the tieloop comprises a bale of approximately {fraction (5/16)}″ to ½″ diametercurved rod that defines approximately a 2 ¼″ opening at the second endof the pipe.
 17. The tie-out system of claim 13, wherein the pipe isapproximately 38″ long with approximately a 1 ⅞″ outside diameter, andwherein the spring is approximately 9″ long with approximately a 2 ⅝″outside diameter.